IRTF News

excessive force by police and ESMAD (anti-riot squad) against small-scale artisanal miners in Antioquia Department organizing in resistance to Canada-based Gran Colombia Gold Corporation; two killed by police gunfire: Brando Stid Ochoa, Alexis Gregorio Acevedo

threats and intimidation against several human rights defenders and organizations in Barrancabermeja, Santander Department, by the paramilitary organization Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (AGC): Iván Madero Vergel, President of the Regional Corporation for the Protection of Human Rights (CREDHOS); David Ravelo Crespo, Secretary of CREDHOS; Maria Leonilda Ravelo Grimaldo, President of the National Association for Solidarity Aid (ANDAS); Sonia María Nevado Morales, member of Broad Front for Peace; Melkin Hernán Castrillón Peñau, Treasurer of the Peasant Farmer Association of the Cimitarra River Valley (ACVC)

repression by the Military Police and two elite special command squads, the COBRAS and TIGRES, against peaceful protesters organized in resistance to the HIDROCEP hydroelectric dam on the Mezapa River; detention of leaders of MADJ (Broad Movement for Dignity and Justice) in Pajuiles, Tela municipality, Atlántida Department.

death threats and cyber attacks directed at the staff of news agency Análisis Urbano (Urban Analysis) and Corpades (Corporation for Peace and Social Development) after reporting on alliances between paramilitary groups and politicians in Medellín and corruption involving the former mayor of Zaragoza, Antioquia Department.

death threats in Bogotá against documentary filmmaker Bladimir Sánchez Espitia, who investigates mining companies, local police, or political figures that may have interests in those companies or their development projects.

Wounaan indigenous communities in Chocó Department impacted by violent clashes between paramilitary groups, the rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN), and state security forces; Sebastían Carpio Necheche was seriously wounded when an anti-personnel mine exploded.

attempted assassination of LGBTI rights defender David Valle in Tegucigalpa

killing of labor rights defender Eugenio López y López during a peaceful protest of former agricultural workers in Coatepeque, Quetzaltenango Department

murder of Roberto Antonio Gómez, father of student activist Andy Johan Gómez Jerónimo of the University Student Movement (MEU) at National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) in Tegucigalpa

illegal searches by National Police of the home of women’s and environmental rights defender Sonia Jeannette Sánchez Pérez in Santo Tomás, San Salvador Department